U.S. patent number 7,894,762 [Application Number 12/604,921] was granted by the patent office on 2011-02-22 for developer transporting apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tomonori Sato.
United States Patent |
7,894,762 |
Sato |
February 22, 2011 |
Developer transporting apparatus, image forming apparatus, and
image forming method
Abstract
A developer transporting apparatus includes: a drop path; a
developer transporting path; a developer transporting member; and
an aggregation preventing member including: a contact portion that
is in contact with the developer transporting member, and that
moves in conjunction with the rotation of the developer
transporting member; and a developer scrub-off portion that is
disposed between an inner wall surface of the developer
transporting path and the developer transporting member, and that
moves along the inner wall surface in conjunction with the movement
of the contact portion, at least part of the aggregation preventing
member being disposed at a connecting portion between the drop path
and the developer transporting path to prevent the aggregation of
the developer to the inner wall surface.
Inventors: |
Sato; Tomonori (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
39417093 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/604,921 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100104328 A1 |
Apr 29, 2010 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11808073 |
Jun 6, 2007 |
7627280 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 21, 2006 [JP] |
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P2006-314494 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
399/360;
399/358 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G
21/105 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03G
21/12 (20060101); G03G 21/10 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;399/98,99,119,120,254,256,261,263,358-360 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2000-284594 |
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Oct 2000 |
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JP |
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2000-284660 |
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Oct 2000 |
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JP |
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2003-255792 |
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Sep 2003 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Gray; David M
Assistant Examiner: Curran; Gregory H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation application of application Ser.
No. 11/808,073, filed on Jun. 6, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,627,280,
which is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from
Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-314494 filed Nov. 21, 2006,
both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A powder transporting apparatus comprising: a drop path through
which a powder drops; a transporting path that is connected to the
drop path, and through which a powder flowing thereinto from the
drop path is transported; a transporting member that includes a
spiral portion disposed within the transporting path, the spiral
portion rotating to transport the powder residing within the
transporting path; and an aggregation preventing member including:
a contact portion that is in contact with the transporting member,
and that moves vertically in conjunction with the rotation of the
spiral portion; and a scrub-off portion that is disposed between an
inner wall surface of the transporting path and the transporting
member, and that moves along the inner wall surface in conjunction
with the movement of the contact portion, at least part of the
aggregation preventing member being disposed at a connecting
portion between the drop path and the transporting path, wherein
the aggregation preventing member moves vertically with having a
fixed portion, and the fixed portion, the scrub-off portion and the
contact portion are arranged in sequence in a transporting
direction of the powder residing with the transporting path.
2. The powder transporting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the scrub-off portion comprises strip-like scrub-off portions
facing each other across the transporting member, and is disposed
in such a manner as to enter the transporting member and the inner
wall surface of the transporting path.
3. The powder transporting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the scrub-off portion has a projecting portion projecting towards
the inner wall surface.
4. The powder transporting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the aggregation preventing member comprises: a fixed portion that
fixes the aggregation preventing member to the transporting path;
and a plate spring portion that extends upwards from the fixed
portion, that is elastically deformable, and that is able to
connect the fixed portion and the scrub-off portion.
5. The powder transporting apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the aggregation preventing member comprises: a fixed portion that
fixes the aggregation preventing member to the transporting path;
and a plate spring portion that extends upwards from the fixed
portion, that is elastically deformable, and that is able to
connect the fixed portion and the scrub-off portion.
6. The powder transporting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the drop path has a divergent shape having width becoming larger as
the divergent shape extends downwards from a drop port from which
the powder flows into the drop path, and the plate spring portion
is disposed in a position which is deviated from a point below the
drop port in a direction along with the drop path.
7. The powder transporting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the transporting path has a convergent shape having width becoming
smaller as the convergent shape extends towards a bottom portion
side thereof in accordance with an external shape of the
transporting member, and the contact portion has narrower shape
than the width of the transporting path in a moving range of the
contact member.
8. The powder transporting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the transporting path has a convergent shape having width becoming
smaller as the convergent shape extends towards a bottom portion
side thereof in accordance with an external shape of the
transporting member, and the contact portion has narrower shape
than the width of the transporting path in a moving range of the
contact member.
9. An image forming apparatus comprising: a recovery unit that
recovers a powder that has not been transferred on to a medium on
which an image is to be recorded by an image forming operation; a
drop path through which the recovered powder so recovered drops; a
transporting path that is connected to the drop path, and through
which the recovered powder flowing thereinto from the drop path is
transported; a transporting member that includes a spiral portion
disposed within the transporting path, the spiral portion rotating
to transport the recovered powder within the transporting path; and
an aggregation preventing member including: a contact portion that
is in contact with the transporting member, and that moves
vertically in conjunction with the rotation of the spiral portion
the spiral portion; and a scrub-off portion that is disposed
between an inner wall surface of the transporting path and the
transporting member, and that is linked with the contact portion in
such a manner as to move along the inner wall surface in
conjunction with the movement of the contact portion, at least part
of the aggregation preventing member being disposed at a connecting
portion between the drop path and the transporting path, wherein
the aggregation preventing member moves vertically with having a
fixed portion; and the fixed portion, the scrub-off portion and the
contact portion are arranged in sequence in a transporting
direction of the powder residing with the transporting path.
10. An image forming method comprising: recovering a powder that
has not been transferred on to a medium on which an image is to be
recorded by an image forming operation through a drop path so as
the recovered powder drops; and transporting the recovered powder
through a transporting path so as the recovered powder flows into
the transporting path from the drop path, wherein, the transporting
path contains a transporting member that includes a spiral portion
that rotates to transport the recovered powder within the
transporting path, the transporting path contains an aggregation
preventing member including a scrub-off portion and a contact
portion, the scrub-off portion disposed between an inner wall
surface of the transporting path and the transporting member, and
is linked with the contact portion in such a manner as to move
along the inner wall surface in conjunction with a movement of the
contact portion, at least part of the aggregation preventing member
being disposed at a connecting portion between the drop path and
the transporting path, the aggregation preventing member moves
vertically with having a fixed portion, and the fixed portion, the
scrub-off portion and the contact portion are arranged in sequence
in a transporting direction of the powder residing with the
transporting path.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a developer transporting
apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming
method.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, for example, in an image forming apparatus of
electrophotographic type commonly used in photocopiers, printers
and the like, a developer transporting apparatus is provided for
transporting a supply developer and a recovered waste
developer.
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a developer
transporting apparatus comprising: a drop path through which a
developer drops; a developer transporting path that is connected to
the drop path, and through which a developer flowing thereinto from
the drop path is transported; a developer transporting member that
is disposed within the developer transporting path, and that
rotates to transport the developer residing within the developer
transporting path; and an aggregation preventing member including:
a contact portion that is in contact with the developer
transporting member, and that moves in conjunction with the
rotation of the developer transporting member; and a developer
scrub-off portion that is disposed between an inner wall surface of
the developer transporting path and the developer transporting
member, and that moves along the inner wall surface in conjunction
with the movement of the contact portion, at least part of the
aggregation preventing member being disposed at a connecting
portion between the drop path and the developer transporting path
to prevent the aggregation of the developer to the inner wall
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in
detail based on the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing of an image forming apparatus
which includes a developer transporting apparatus of Embodiment 1
of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing showing the whole of a waste
developer transporting apparatus which is an example of a developer
transporting apparatus of Embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the waste developer transporting
apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the waste developer transporting apparatus
shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of the waste developer
transporting apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the waste developer transporting apparatus
of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing of the waste developer
transporting apparatus of Embodiment 1 with a second drop path
forming member removed shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of a second drop path
connecting portion of the waste developer transporting apparatus of
Embodiment 1 with a second drop path forming member removed shown
in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a explanatory perspective view of an aggregation
preventing member of Embodiment 1;
FIGS. 10A to 10F are drawings which describe the function of
Embodiment 1, in which FIG. 10A is an explanatory drawing which
describes an initial state of a conventional waste developer
transporting apparatus, FIG. 10B is an explanatory drawing which
describes a state in which a developer starts sticking to an inner
wall surface from the state shown in FIG. 10A, FIG. 10C is an
explanatory drawing which shows a state in which the developer that
has continued to stick from the state shown in FIG. 10B is now
growing into aggregates, FIG. 10D is an explanatory drawing which
shows a state in which the aggregates of developer have grown
further from the state shown in FIG. 10C, FIG. 10E is an
explanatory drawing which shows a state in which the aggregates of
developer have grown further from the state shown in FIG. 10D to
clog the drop path, and FIG. 10F is an explanatory drawing of the
waste developer transporting apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view which describes an
aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 2 of the invention, the
perspective view corresponding to FIG. 9 which illustrates
Embodiment 1;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory drawings of an aggregation
preventing member of Embodiment 3 of the invention, in which FIG.
12A is an explanatory perspective view of the aggregation
preventing member which corresponds to FIG. 9 illustrating
Embodiment 1, and FIG. 12B is a sectional view of a main part of
the aggregation preventing member which corresponds to FIG. 5
illustrating Embodiment 1;
FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory drawings of an aggregation
preventing member of Embodiment 4 of the invention, in which FIG.
13A is an explanatory perspective view of the aggregation
preventing member which corresponds to FIG. 9 illustrating
Embodiment 1, and FIG. 13B is a sectional view of a main part of
the aggregation preventing member which corresponds to FIG. 5
illustrating Embodiment 1;
FIG. 14 is explanatory drawing of an aggregation preventing member
of Embodiment 4 of the invention, which corresponds to FIG. 5
illustrating Embodiment 1;
FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory drawings of an aggregation
preventing member of Embodiment 5 of the invention, in which FIG.
15A is an explanatory perspective view of the aggregation
preventing member which corresponds to FIG. 9 illustrating
Embodiment 1, and FIG. 15B is a sectional view of a main part of
the aggregation preventing member which corresponds to FIG. 5
illustrating Embodiment 1; and
FIG. 16 is an explanatory perspective view which describes an
aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 6 of the invention, the
perspective view corresponding to FIG. 9 which illustrates
Embodiment 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Next, referring to the drawings, specific examples of a mode for
carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to as
embodiments) will be described, but the invention is not limited to
embodiments to be described below.
Note that for the purpose of easy understanding of the following
description, in the drawings, a longitudinal or back and forth
direction is regarded as an X axis direction, a lateral or left and
right direction as a Y axis direction and a vertical or up and down
direction as a Z axis direction, and directions or sides indicated
by arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, Z and -Z are regarded as front, rear,
right, left, up and down, or front side, rear side, right side,
left side, upper side and lower side.
In addition, in the drawings, a circle with a dot in it indicates
an arrow which passes through a sheet of paper on which the drawing
is shown from the rear to front of, and a circle with a cross in it
indicates an arrow which passes the sheet of paper on which the
drawing is shown from the front to rear thereof.
Note that in the description that will be made below while
referring to the drawings, for the purpose of easy understanding,
other constituent members than those really required for specific
descriptions will be omitted from illustration.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing of an image forming apparatus
which includes a developer transporting apparatus of Embodiment 1
of the invention.
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus U includes a photocopying
machine U1 as an image forming apparatus main body which has a
transparent platen glass PG on an upper side thereof and an
automatic document feeder U2 which is mounted detachably on the
platen glass PG.
The automatic document feeder U2 has a document feeding section TG1
in which a plurality of documents Gi to be photocopied are
accommodated therein in a stacked fashion to be automatically fed
to a photocopying position. The plurality of documents Gi which are
accommodated in the document feeding section TG1 are made to be
discharged sequentially into a document discharge section TG2 after
having passed through a photocopying position on the platen glass
PG.
The photocopying machine U1 has an operation instruction input
section U0 from which an operator inputs his or her instruction, an
image reading section U1a and an image recording section U1b which
are disposed in that order underneath the platen glass PG, and an
image processing section GS which is provided in either the image
reading section U1a or the image recording section U1b.
The image reading section, functioning as a document reader, which
is disposed underneath the transparent platen glass PG on the upper
side of the photocopying machine U1 has a reading position
detecting member (a platen register sensor) Sp which is disposed in
an image reading position and an exposing optical system A.
The exposing optical system A is controlled by a detection signal
of the reading position detecting member Sp with respect to its
movement and stopping and normally stops in a base position.
During an automatic document feeding operation in which
photocopying is performed using the automatic document feeder U2,
the exposing optical system A exposes individual documents Gi which
sequentially pass through a photocopying position F1 on the platen
glass PG in such a state that the exposing optical system A stops
in the base position.
During a stationary document feeding operation in which
photocopying is performed while the operator manually places a
single document Gi on the platen glass PG at a time, the exposing
optical system A moves along an underside of the platen glass PG to
expose and scan the document so placed on the platen glass PG.
Reflected light from the document Gi so exposed passes through the
exposing optical system A is focused on to a CCD which is a solid
state image sensing device. The CCD converts the document reflected
light which is focused on to its image sensing surface into an
electric signal.
In addition, the image processing section GS converts a read
picture signal inputted thereinto from the CCD of the image reading
section U1a into a digital picture write signal and then outputs
the digital picture write signal to a laser drive signal output
unit DL of the image forming section U1b.
The laser drive signal output unit DL outputs a laser drive signal
according to image information inputted thereinto to an exposing
unit (an optical write and scan unit or an image write unit).
A photoconductor material coated component or photoconductor drum
PR which is disposed below the exposing unit rotates in a direction
indicated by an arrow Ya. The surface of the photoconductor drum PR
is charged by a charge corotron in a charging area Q0 and is then
exposed and scanned by a latent image write light beam (a laser
beam) L of the exposing unit in a latent image write position Q1,
so as to form a latent image. The surface of the photoconductor
drum PR on which the latent image is formed then rotationally moves
to pass sequentially over a developing area Q2 and a transfer area
Q3.
A developing device G for developing the latent image in the
developing area Q2 transports a developer which contains toner and
carriers to the developing area Q2 by a developing roll R0 which is
an example of a developing member to develop the latent image which
passes through the developing area Q2 into a visible image (a toner
image). A toner image so developed on the surface of the
photoconductor drum PR is then transported to the transfer area
Q3.
A developer refill container (cartridge) K for refilling a
developer that is consumed by the developing device G is mounted
detachable on a cartridge mount member KS. A developer inside the
cartridge K is transported while being stirred in a developer
storage container RT and is then transported to the developing
device G by a developer transporting unit GH which is disposed in
the developer storage container RT. Note that the developing device
G of Embodiment 1 uses a two-component developer which is made up
of toner and carriers, and a developer which contains toner and
carriers is refilled into the developing device G from the
developer refilling container K, while the developer which is now
deteriorated is discharged in a small amount. A developing unit
which discharges the deteriorated developer in a small amount while
being refilled with a fresh developer is conventionally known as is
described in, for example, JP-A-2005-208340, and therefore, a
detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
A transfer unit TU, which is disposed in such a manner as to face
the photoconductor drum PR in the transfer area Q3, has a transfer
belt TB, as an example of a transfer and transporting member, which
is supported in such a manner as to be rotated by a belt support
member (Rd, Rf) which has a drive roll Rd and a driven roll Rf, a
transfer roll TR and a separator claw SC, as an example of a
transferring device, a belt cleaner CLb, as an example of a
developer recovering device, and the like. The transfer roll TR is
a member for transferring a toner image on the surface of the
photoconductor drum PR on to a sheet S as an example of a medium,
and a transfer voltage which has an opposite polarity to the
charged polarity of a developing toner that is used in the
developing device G is supplied to the transfer roll TR from a
power supply circuit E. The power supply circuit E is controlled by
a controller which is an example of a control unit.
Sheets S stored in sheets container trays TR1 to TR4 are
transported to the transfer area Q3 by way of a sheet feeding path
SH1. Namely, sheets S stored in the individual sheets container
trays TR1 to TR4 are picked up at front ends of the sheet container
trays by pickup rolls Rp which are an example of a pickup member,
separated into individual sheets by separation rolls Rs which are
an example of a separation member and are transported to register
rolls Rr which are an example of a transfer area transporting
member by a plurality of transporting members Ra.
In addition, a manual sheet feeder section TRt, which is an example
of a manual sheet feeding member, is placed to the left (in a -Y
direction in FIG. 1) of the cartridge mount member KS and the
developer storage container RT, and a sheet S fed from the manual
sheet feeder section TRt is also transported to the predetermined
transfer area Q3. In the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1,
the manual sheet feeder section TRt is supported in such a manner
as to rotate about a rotation center TRt0, and in such a state that
the manual sheet feeder section TRt is stored in an interior of the
image forming apparatus (refer to solid lines in FIG. 1), part of
the manual sheet feeder section TRt which lies on a rotation center
TRt0 side thereof is stored in such a state that the rotation
center side part thereof is located below the cartridge mount
member KS and enters a space defined to the left of the developer
storage container RT, whereby the manual sheet feeder section TRt
is stored in such a state that the image forming apparatus U is
made compact in size as a whole to save space.
The sheet S transferred to the register roll Rr is transported from
a pre-transfer sheet guide SG, which is an example of a guide
member, on to the transfer belt TB of the transfer unit TU at the
same timing as the toner image on the photoconductor drum PR is
moved to the transfer area Q3. The transfer belt TB transports the
sheet S so transported thereto to the sheet transfer area Q3.
The toner image Tn developed on the surface of the photoconductor
drum PR is transferred on to the sheet S by the transfer roll TR in
the transfer area Q3. After the transfer of the toner image, the
surface of the photoconductor drum PR is cleaned by a cleaning
brush CLp1, which is an example of a developer removing member, of
a photo conductor drum cleaner CLp, which is an example of a
developer recovering device, whereby the residual toner is removed.
The residual toner so removed by the cleaning brush CLp1 is then
transported by a photoconductor drum toner transporting member,
which is an example of the developer transporting member. The
surface of the photoconductor drum PR, which has been so cleaned,
is charged again by the charge device CR.
The sheet S, on to which the toner image has been transferred by
the transfer roll TR in the transfer area Q3, is separated from the
surface of the transfer belt TB by the separator claw SC lying
downstream of the transfer area Q3. The surface of the transfer
belt TB, from which the sheet S has been separated, is cleaned by a
cleaning blade CLb1, which is an example of a developer removing
member of a belt cleaner CLb. Toner, paper dust, discharge
generating substance and the like which have been removed by the
cleaning blade CLb1 are transported by a belt toner transporting
member CLb2, which is an example of the developer transporting
member.
After the toner image transferred thereon is heated and fixed by a
fixing device having a heating roll Fh, which is an example of a
heating member, and a pressure roll Fp, which is an example of a
pressurizing member, the sheet S so separated passes through a
transporting path switching member MG which is made of an elastic
sheet and is transported to a transporting member Rb which can
rotate forwards and backwards in a discharge path SH2. The
transporting path switching member MG deforms elastically so as to
direct the sheet S which has passed the fixing device F to the
discharge path SH2.
The sheet S, which is to be discharged to a sheet discharge section
TRh, is transported through the discharge path SH2 along which the
transporting member Rb which can rotate forwards and backwards and
a plurality of transporting members Ra. A post-processing selector
member GT1 is disposed at a downstream end portion of the discharge
path SH2. The post-processing selector member GT1 is changed over
to select the discharge of sheets S which are transported thereto
between the sheet discharge section TRh and a post-processing unit,
which is not shown, when the post-processing unit, not shown, is
connected to the image forming apparatus. In addition, in such a
state that the post-processing unit is not attached to the image
forming apparatus, the post-processing selector member GT1
discharges sheets S transported to the downstream end portion of
the discharge path SH2 to the sheet discharge section TRh.
When a sheet on one side of which information has already been
recorded is transferred thereto for double-side printing, the
transporting member Rb which can rotate forwards and backwards
rotates backwards immediately before a rear end of the one-side
recorded sheet S has passed the transporting member Rb so as to
transport the one-side recoded sheet S to an opposite direction to
the direction in which the sheet S has been transported (or
switches back the sheet S, in other words). The transporting path
selector member MG directs the sheet S so switched back to a
circulating transporting path SH3 by the transporting member Rb.
The one-side recorded sheet S so transported to the circulating
transporting path SH3 is transported again to the transfer area Q3
in such a state that the front surface of the sheet S is turned
downwards. A toner image is then transferred to the second surface
of the one-side recorded sheet S transported to the transfer area
Q3 again.
Note that a sheet transport unit SH is made up of the constituent
elements denoted by reference numerals SH1 to SH3, Rp, Rs, Rr, Ra,
Rb, MG and the like.
(Waste Developer Transporting Apparatus)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing showing the whole of a waste
developer transporting apparatus which is an example of a developer
transporting apparatus of Embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the waste developer transporting
apparatus shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the waste developer transporting apparatus
shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of the waste developer
transporting apparatus shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the waste developer transporting apparatus
of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 5.
In FIGS. 2 to 6, a waste developer transporting apparatus 1, which
is an example of a developer transporting apparatus of the
invention has a substantially L-shaped, hollow cylindrical
transporting path forming member 2 which forms a waste toner
transporting path 2d which is an example of a developer
transporting path and a waste toner recovery container 3 which is
an example of a developer recovery section connected to right lower
end of the transporting path forming member 2. The transporting
path forming member 2 has a plurality of fixed portions 2a which
are fixedly screwed to fixing portions provided on a rear side of a
main body of the photocopying machine U1, not shown. A first drop
connecting portion 2b is formed at a left upper portion of the
transporting path forming member 2, and a second drop path
connecting portion 2c is formed at a central portion of the
transporting path forming member. In addition, a so-called coil
auger 4, which is a transporting member formed into a coil shape by
winding a wire material into a cylindrical shape and is an example
of a developer transporting member, is rotatably accommodated in a
waste toner transporting path 2d which is made up of an interior
space in the transporting path forming member 2, and an end of the
coil auger 4 extends into an interior of the waste developer
recovering section 3.
A left upper end of the coil auger 4 is supported by a transporting
member end portion support member 6 which is rotatably supported by
the transporting path forming member 2 via a bearing. A driven gear
7 is fixedly supported on the transporting member end portion
support member 6. A drive motor 8, which is an example of a drive
unit, is fixedly supported at a left upper end portion of the
transporting path forming member 2, a drive gear 9 supported on a
drive shaft 8a of the drive motor 8 is brought into mesh engagement
with the driven gear 7. Consequently, when the drive motor 8
operates, the coil auger 4 rotates via the drive gear 9 and the
driven gear 7, whereby a developer residing in the waste toner
transporting path 2d is transported towards the waster developer
recovering section 3.
In FIG. 5, a first drop path forming member 11 is fixedly supported
at the first drop path connecting portion 2b with a screw 12. A
first drop path 11a, which is an example of a drop path connected
to the waste toner transporting path 2d, is formed in an interior
of the first drop path forming member 11, and a first developer
drop port 11b, which is an example of a developer drop port, is
formed at an upper end portion of the first drop path 11. A waste
developer transporting member (not shown) which transports waste
developer discharged in a small amount from the developing device G
is connected to the first developer drop port 11b for
communication. Consequently, a discharged developer that is
discharged from the developing device G is trans ported from the
developer drop port 11 to the first drop path 11a, and the
developer which drops through the first drop path 11a is
transported through the waste toner transporting path 2d for
recovery into the developer recovering section 3.
(Description of Second Drop Path and Aggregation Preventing
Member)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing showing the waste developer
transporting apparatus of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 6 with the
second drop path forming member removed.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of the second drop path
connecting portion of the waste developer transporting apparatus of
Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 7.
In FIGS. 7, 8, the second drop path connecting portion 2c has an
inner wall surface 2c1 which extends upwards from the waste toner
transporting path 2d. Consequently, in the waste toner transporting
path 2d, a lower portion than a rotation center of the coil auger
4, that is, a bottom side portion is formed into a semi-circular
shape in cross section which follows an external shape of the coil
auger 4 in the position where the second drop path connecting
portion 2c is provided, while an upper portion is made up of a
space surrounded by the inner wall surface 2c1 which extends
upwards in a perpendicular direction, whereby a gap between the
inner wall surface 2c1 and the coil auger 4 is formed into a wedge
shape which narrows as it extends downwards. In addition, a
rectangular opening 2c2, as viewed from the top, is formed at an
upper end of the inner wall surface 2c1. Member fixing portions
2c3, 2c4, 2c5 are formed at left, right and rear portions on a
perimetric edge of the opening 2c2, and screw holes are formed in
the respective member fixing portions 2c3 to 2c5. In addition, a
U-shaped held portion 2c6 is formed at a rear portion of the
left-side member fixing portion 2c3.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an aggregation preventing member of
Embodiment 1.
FIGS. 5 and 7 to 9, an aggregation preventing member 16 of
Embodiment 1 is supported at the second drop path connecting
portion 2c. In FIG. 9, the aggregation preventing member 16 has a
fixed portion 17 which is supported on an upper surface of the
left-side member fixing portion 2c3. A screw passage hole 17a is
formed in the fixed portion 17. A holding portion 18, which is
curved substantially into a laterally oriented U-shape, is formed
integrally at the rear of the fixed portion 17, and an operating
portion 18a is formed at a lower end of the holding portion 18 for
operation by an operator who performs an attaching or detaching
operation of the aggregation preventing member 16. Consequently,
the aggregation preventing member is supported on the member fixing
portion 2c3 by elastically deforming the holding portion 18 to hold
the held portion 2c6 as by a clip and holding the holding portion
18 in such a state.
A plate spring portion 19, which can elastically deform, is formed
integrally on a right side (in a +Y direction in FIG. 9) of the
fixed portion 17. The plate spring portion 19 has an upwardly
extending portion 19a which extends upwards in a perpendicular
direction from a right end of the fixed portion 17 and an obliquely
extending portion 19b which extends from an upper end of the
upwardly extending portion 19a to the right while inclined
downwards. Since the respective extending portions 19a, 19b close
an area through which a developer drops, with a view to reducing a
projection area as viewed from the top, while the extending
portions are each formed into a pair of strip-like shapes which
extend parallel to each other, a plate spring reinforcement portion
19b1 is formed on the obliquely extending portion 19b in such a
manner as to connected thereto in a longitudinal direction with a
view to securing a required strength.
A pair of L-shaped developer scrub-off portions 20 are formed at a
right end of the obliquely extending portion 19b of the plate
spring portion 19. In the developer scrub-off portions 20, a pair
of perpendicular portions 20a which extend perpendicularly
downwards and a pair of strip-like scrub-off portions 20b which
extend from lower ends of the perpendicular portions 20a to a
rightward direction, that is, in the developer transport direction
of the waste toner transporting path 2d are formed integrally with
each other. Edge portions 20c and 20d are formed on both upper and
lower edges of the developer scrub-off portion 20. In FIG. 10F, the
strip-like scrub-off portions 20b of Embodiment 1 are disposed
along the inner wall surface 2c1 of the waste toner transporting
path 2d which is provided on an upper outer side of the coil auger
4, and a width or spacing distance between the scrub-off portions
20b is made wider an outside diameter of the coil auger 4 bus is
made narrower than an inside diameter of the inner wall surface 2c1
so that developer is caused to stick to the inner wall surface 2c1
by the coil auger 4 being kept in contact with the inner wall
surface 2c1. Note that the strip-like scrub-off portions 20b are
disposed in such a manner as to be brought into contact with the
inner wall surface 2c1 and separated therefrom as they move
vertically.
An aggregation preventing member distal end portion 21 is
integrally formed at a right end portion of the developer scrub-off
portion 20. The aggregation preventing member distal end portion 21
has a distal end reinforcement portion 21a which connects to right
end portions of the strip-like scrub-off portions so as to
reinforce them and a contact portion 21b which is formed on a right
side of the distal end reinforcement portion 21a in such a manner
as to extend obliquely downwards. As is shown in FIG. 8, the
contact portion 21b of Embodiment 1 is disposed in such a manner as
to enter the inside of the coil spring-like coil auger 4. In
addition, a lower side portion of the contact portion 21b is formed
narrower in width than the distal end reinforcement portion 21a so
that the movement thereof is not restricted by a contact with the
waste toner transporting path 2d which is formed into the
semi-circular shape in cross section at the lower portion thereof
in such a manner that the width thereof is narrowed gradually
increasingly as it extends towards the bottom side thereof, which
contact would otherwise occur.
In FIGS. 5 to 8, a second drop path forming member 26 is supported
at the second drop path connecting portion 2c. The second drop path
forming member 26 is fixedly supported by screws 27 which are
screwed into the screw holes in the member fixing portions 2c3,
2c4, 2c5 and the screw passage hole 17a in the aggregation
preventing member 16.
In FIG. 5, a second developer drop port 26a, which is an example of
a developer drop port, is formed at an upper end portion of the
second drop path forming member 26, and a rear end portion of the
photoconductor drum toner transporting member CLp2 is connected to
the second developer drop port 26a for communication. The second
drop path forming member 26 has below the first developer drop port
26a a drop path perpendicular inner wall 26b which extends
downwards in a perpendicular direction and a drop path inclined
inner wall 26c which extends to the left while inclined downwards,
whereby a second drop path 26d, which is an example of a drop path,
is formed by a space defined by the drop path perpendicular inner
wall 26b and the drop path inclined inner wall 26c. Consequently,
in the second drop path forming member 26, a space between the drop
path perpendicular inner wall 26b and the drop path inclined inner
wall 26c is made to be broader as it extends downwards, and
therefore, the second drop path 26d is formed into a so-called
divergent shape. As a result, the aggregation preventing member 16
is formed into a shape which match the divergent shape of the
second drop path, and the plate spring portion 19 is not disposed
below the second developer drop port 26a in the perpendicular
direction, instead, the strip-like scrub-off portions 20b and the
aggregation preventing member distal end portion 21 being
disposed.
A developer transported to the second developer drop port 26a by
the photoconductor drum toner transporting member CLp2 drop through
the second drop path 26d to be transported to the waste toner
transporting path 2d.
In FIG. 5, a third developer drop port 26e is formed at a portion
lying to the right of the second drop path forming member, and a
rear end portion of the belt toner transporting member CLb2 is
connected to the third developer drop port 26e for communication. A
third drop path 26f, which is an example of a drop path, is formed
below the third developer drop path 26e, and a developer
transported to the third developer drop port 26e by the belt toner
transporting member CLb2 drops through the third drop path 26f to
be transported to the waste toner transporting path 2d.
Function of Embodiment 1
In the waste developer transporting apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1
which has the configuration that has been described heretofore, the
developer, paper dust and the like which are recovered at the
developing device G, the photoconductor drum cleaner CLp and the
belt cleaner CLb drop through the corresponding drop paths 11a,
26d, 26f to be transported to the waste toner transporting path 2d.
the developer residing inside the waste toner transporting path 2d
is transported by the developer transport device 4 which rotates to
thereby be recovered into the waste developer recovering section
3.
When the coil auger 4 rotates, the spirally shaped coil auger 4 and
the contact portion 21b of the aggregation preventing member distal
end portion 21 are brought into intermittent contact with each
other, whereby the coil auger 4 is pushed in a vertical direction.
In association with this, the aggregation preventing member 16
moves vertically or vibrates with the connecting portion between
the fixed portion 17 and the plate spring portion acting as a fixed
end and the contact portion 21b acting as a free end. In addition,
this vibration is amplified by the plate spring portion 19 which is
curved into the U-shape. The developer scrub-off portion 20 is
caused to move in the vertical direction along the inner wall
surface 2c1 and the inner wall surface of the second drop path 26d
by the vibration.
FIG. 10 shows drawings which describe the function of Embodiment 1,
in which FIG. 10A is an explanatory drawing which describes an
initial state of a conventional waste developer transporting
apparatus, FIG. 10B is an explanatory drawing which describes a
state in which a developer starts sticking to an inner wall surface
from the state shown in FIG. 10A, FIG. 10C is an explanatory
drawing which shows a state in which the developer that has
continued to stick from the state shown in FIG. 10B is now growing
into aggregates, FIG. 10D is an explanatory drawing which shows a
state in which the aggregates of developer have grown further from
the state shown in FIG. 10C, FIG. 10E is an explanatory drawing
which shows a state in which the aggregates of developer have grown
further from the state shown in FIG. 10D to clog the drop path, and
FIG. 10F is an explanatory drawing of the waste developer
transporting apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1.
In FIG. 10, in the waste developer transporting apparatus 1 of
Embodiment 1, since the strip-like scrub-off portions 20b which are
disposed along the inner wall surface 2c1 of the waste toner
transporting path 2d vibrate on the outside of the upper portion of
the coil auger 4, even in the event that a developer which drops
through the second drop path 26d sticks to the inner wall surface
21c, the developer that has so stuck to the inner wall are scrubbed
off by the upper and lower edge portions 20c, 20d at the upper and
lower edges of the strip-like scrub-off portions 20b. Namely, in
the conventional technique in which the aggregation preventing
member 16 is not provided, while there have occurred cases where
the developer which started to stick to the inner wall surface 2c1
grows into aggregates to clog the second drop path 26d therewith as
the stages shown in FIGS. 10A to 10F have been completed, in the
embodiment of the invention, since the developer is scrubbed off
into the waste toner transporting path 2d by the aggregation
preventing member 16 which is disposed between the coil auger 4 and
the inner wall surface 2c1 in the stage shown in FIG. 10B in which
the developer has started to stick between the coil auger 4 and the
inner wall surface 2c1, the growth of aggregates which have grown
from the developer sticking to the inner wall surface is
disturbed.
In particular, much of the developer which drops through the second
drop path 26d is deteriorated due to electric field and physical
force being applied thereto at the developing area Q2 and the
transfer area Q3 and is hence easy to aggregate. Moreover, the
developer in the second drop path 26d is subjected to force applied
by the coil auger 4. Therefore, the developer which drops through
the second drop path 26d or the like sticks little to the wall
surface 26b during dropping and tends to stick easily to, in
particular, the inner wall surface 2c1 on the outside of the upper
portion of the downstream end of the coil auger 4 in its rotating
direction. However, since the developer attempting to stick thereto
is scrubbed off by the aggregation preventing member 16 which is
disposed in this position, the growth of aggregates can be
disturbed effectively.
In addition, since the gap is opened inside the inner wall surface
2c1, the developer dropping through the second drop path 26d sticks
little to the inner wall surface 2c1, and since the projecting area
of the aggregation preventing member 16 is narrow, the developer so
dropping is difficult to stick on to the aggregation preventing
member 16. Therefore, much of the developer so dropping through the
second drop path 26d is transported to the waste developer
transporting path 2d. Even in the event that the developer sticks
to the aggregation preventing member 16, since the developer drops
on to the developer scrub-off portion 20 which is disposed below
the second developer drop port 26a in the perpendicular direction,
so as to drop on the portion of the aggregation preventing member
16 which lies away from the fixed end thereof, whereby the
developer that has so dropped on to the aggregation preventing
member 16 is caused to drop into the waste toner transporting path
2d by virtue of the vibration of the developer scrub-off portion 20
whose amplitude becomes larger than that of the spring portion
19.
Embodiment 2
FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view which describes an
aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 2 of the invention, the
perspective view corresponding to FIG. 9 which illustrates
Embodiment 1.
Next, an image forming apparatus will be described below which
includes an aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 2 of the
invention. In the description of Embodiment 2, like reference
numerals will be imparted to like constituent elements to those of
Embodiment 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted
here. While Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in the following
points, Embodiment 2 is identical in configuration to Embodiment 1
with respect to the other points.
In FIG. 11, in an aggregation preventing member 16' of Embodiment
2, a developer scrub-off portion 20' is formed into a right-angled
triangle having a wider area than the developer scrub-off portion
of Embodiment 1. A lower opening 31a, which is formed into a lower
triangular shape, and an upper opening 31b, which is formed into an
upper rectangular shape, are formed in the aggregation preventing
member 16'. Consequently, the aggregation preventing member 16' of
Embodiment 2 has perpendicular portions 32a and lower scrub-off
portions 32b which are similar to the perpendicular portions 20a
and the strip-like scrub-off portions 20b of Embodiment 1, first
oblique scrub-off portions 32c which extend along an oblique side
of the right-angled triangle and second oblique scrub-off portions
32d which are parallel to the first oblique scrub-off portions
32c.
Function of Embodiment 2
In the image forming apparatus U of Embodiment 2 which is
configured as has been described above, when the aggregation
preventing member 16' vibrates as a coil auger 4 rotates, a
developer sticking to an inner wall surface 2c1 is scrubbed off by
upper and lower edges of the lower scrub-off portions 32b and upper
and lower edges of the oblique scrub-off portions 32c, 32d.
Embodiment 3
FIG. 12 shows explanatory drawings of an aggregation preventing
member of Embodiment 3 of the invention, in which FIG. 12A is an
explanatory perspective view of the aggregation preventing member
which corresponds to FIG. 9 illustrating Embodiment 1, and FIG. 12B
is a sectional view of a main part of the aggregation preventing
member which corresponds to FIG. 5 illustrating Embodiment 1.
Next, an image forming apparatus will be described below which
includes an aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 3 of the
invention. In the description of Embodiment 3, like reference
numerals will be imparted to like constituent elements to those of
Embodiment 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted
here. While Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in the following
points, Embodiment 3 is identical in configuration to Embodiment 1
with respect to the other points.
In FIG. 12, an aggregation preventing member 41 of Embodiment 3 is
such that the plate spring portion 19 in the aggregation preventing
member 16 of Embodiment 1 is omitted, and developer scrub-off
portions 42 extend directly from a fixed portion 17.
Function of Embodiment 3
In the image forming apparatus U of Embodiment 3 which is
configured as has been described above, a contact portion 21b
fluctuates vertically as a coil auger 4 rotates, the aggregation
preventing member 41 vibrates with a connecting portion between the
developer scrub-off portions 42 and the fixed portion 17
functioning as a fixed end. Consequently, while the amplitude of
the aggregation preventing member 41 resulting when it vibrates
becomes small, compared to Embodiment 1 in which the plate spring
portion 19 is provided, the developer can be scrubbed off by edges
of the upper and lower edge portions of the developer scrub-off
portions 42. Consequently, the developer transfer system of
Embodiment 3 has a similar function and advantage to those provided
by Embodiment 1, as well.
Embodiment 4
FIG. 13 shows explanatory drawings of an aggregation preventing
member of Embodiment 4 of the invention, in which FIG. 13A is an
explanatory perspective view of the aggregation preventing member
which corresponds to FIG. 9 illustrating Embodiment 1, and FIG. 13B
is a sectional view of a main part of the aggregation preventing
member which corresponds to FIG. 5 illustrating Embodiment 1.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing of the aggregation preventing
member of Embodiment 4 of the invention and is an explanatory
sectional view of the main part of the aggregation preventing
member of Embodiment 4 which corresponds to FIG. 5 illustrating
Embodiment 1.
Next, an image forming apparatus will be described below which
includes an aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 4 of the
invention. In the description of Embodiment 4, like reference
numerals will be imparted to like constituent elements to those of
Embodiment 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted
here. While Embodiment 4 differs from Embodiment 1 in the following
points, Embodiment 4 is identical in configuration to Embodiment 1
with respect to the other points.
In FIG. 13, an aggregation preventing member 51 of Embodiment 4 has
a plate-like developer scrub-off portion 52 which is disposed along
an inner wall surface 2c1 of an upper portion of a waste toner
transporting path 2d and a front end face of a second drop path
26d, a pair of plate-like inner wall contact portions 53 which
extend to the rear from both left and right end edges of the
developer scrub-off portion 52, respectively, and a pair of left
and right contact portions 54 which are curved in an arc-like
fashion and are formed at lower end portions of the inner wall
contact portions 53, respectively.
An opening 52a is formed in a central portion of the developer
scrub-off portion 52. An entering portion 52b is formed at a lower
end portion the developer scrub-off portion 52 in such a manner as
to extend downwards and enter between the coil auger 4 and the
inner wall 2c1, and an opening 52c is formed in a central portion
of the entering portion 52b. As is shown in FIG. 14, an external
shape of the developer scrub-off portion 52 is formed such that in
such a state that the developer scrub-off portion 52 is
accommodated within the second drop path 26d, the pair of inner
wall contact portions 53 approach a drop path perpendicular inner
wall 26b and a drop path oblique inner wall 26c and are disposed to
face the inner walls with a predetermined gap provided
therebetween.
In addition, as is shown in FIG. 14, the contact portions 54 are
each set to be larger than a gap or pitch between two adjacent
constant winding portions of the coil spring-like coil auger 4, so
that the whole the contact portions 54 do not fit in between the
pitch of the coil auger 4 wholly but sink partially between the
pitch.
Function of Embodiment 4
In the image forming apparatus U of Embodiment 4 which is
configured as has been described above, a developer which has
dropped through the second drop path 26d is transported to the
waste toner transporting path 2d by the coil auger 4. When the
constantly spiral coil auger 4 rotates, advancing the winding
portions thereof, the contact portions 54 which in contact with the
coil auger 4 attempt to move in the developer transport direction.
As this occurs, since the inner wall contact portions 53 are
brought into contact with the perpendicular inner wall 26b of the
drop path, whereby the movement is restricted, the contact portions
54 which sink between the pitch move vertically in such a manner as
to appear from and sink in the pitch as the coil spring-like coil
auger 4 rotates. Consequently, the aggregation preventing member 51
moves vertically within the interior of the second drop path 26d.
In association with the vertical movement of the aggregation
preventing member 51, the developer scrub-off portion 52 also moves
vertically along the inner wall surface 2c1 and the inner wall
surface of the second drop path 26d. Consequently, the developer
sticking to the inner wall surface 2c1 and the like is scrubbed off
by edges of upper and lower edge portions of the developer
scrub-off portion 52, edges of the of the opening 52a and edges of
the entering portion 52b.
Embodiment 5
FIG. 15 shows explanatory drawings of an aggregation preventing
member of Embodiment 5 of the invention, in which FIG. 15A is an
explanatory perspective view of the aggregation preventing member
which corresponds to FIG. 9 illustrating Embodiment 1, and FIG. 15B
is a sectional view of a main part of the aggregation preventing
member which corresponds to FIG. 5 illustrating Embodiment 1.
Next, an image forming apparatus will be described below which
includes an aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 5 of the
invention. In the description of Embodiment 5, like reference
numerals will be imparted to like constituent elements to those of
Embodiments 1 to 4, and a detailed description thereof will be
omitted here. While Embodiment 5 differs from Embodiments 1 to 4 in
the following points, Embodiment 5 is identical in configuration to
Embodiments 1 to 4 with respect to the other points.
In FIG. 15, an aggregation preventing member 61 of Embodiment 5 has
a plate-like flat plate portion 17', and a developer scrub-off
portion 42 and a contact portion 21 which are similar,
respectively, to the developer scrub-off portion 42 of the
aggregation preventing member 41 and the contact portion 21 of
Embodiment 3 are formed on a downstream side of the flat plate
portion 17' in the developer transport direction. A semi-arc-like
contact portion 54 which is configured similarly to the contact
portion 54 of Embodiment 4 is formed on an upstream side the flat
plate portion 17'
Function of Embodiment 5
In the image forming apparatus U of Embodiment 5 that is configured
as has been described above, being different from Embodiments 1 to
3, an upstream end and a downstream end of the aggregation
preventing member 61 in the developer transport direction are both
made to constitute free ends, and the aggregation preventing member
61 is held in a so-called floating state by the contact portions
21, 54 at the front and rear ends thereof. In addition, as with the
aggregation preventing member 51 of Embodiment 4, since a front end
of the contact portion 21 in the developer transport direction is
brought into contact with a front end side inner wall surface of a
third drop path 26f, whereby the movement thereof is restricted,
the contact portions 21, 42 which are in contact with the coil
auger 4 move vertically as the coil auger 4 rotates. As the contact
portions 21, 42 move vertically, the developer scrub-off portion 42
moves vertically, whereby the developer sticking to the inner wall
2c1 is scrubbed off.
Embodiment 6
FIG. 16 shows explanatory drawings of an aggregation preventing
member of Embodiment 6 of the invention, which corresponds to FIG.
9 illustrating Embodiment 1.
Next, an image forming apparatus will be described below which
includes an aggregation preventing member of Embodiment 6 of the
invention. In the description of Embodiment 6, like reference
numerals will be imparted to like constituent elements to those of
Embodiment 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted
here. While Embodiment 6 differs from Embodiment 1 in the following
points, Embodiment 6 is identical in configuration to Embodiment 1
with respect to the other points.
In FIG. 16, in an aggregation preventing member 16'' of Embodiment
6, a pair of front and rear projections 71, which are an example of
a projecting portion, are disposed on the aggregation preventing
member distal end portion 21 side of the developer scrub-off
portion 20 of the aggregation preventing member 16 of Embodiment 1
in such a manner as to project outwards, that is, towards the inner
wall surface 2c1 side. Note that only one of the pair of
projections 71 is shown in FIG. 16.
Function of Embodiment 6
In the image forming apparatus U of Embodiment 6, when the
developer scrub-portion of the aggregation preventing member 16''
moves along the inner wall surface 2c1, the projections 71 and the
inner wall surface 2c1 are brought into contact with each other.
Namely, an interval between the developer scrub-off portion 20 and
the inner wall surface 2c1 is held to a predetermined interval by
virtue of the contact between the projections 71 and the inner wall
surface 2c1 so that the developer is stuck to the inner wall
surface 2c1 as a result of the developer scrub-off portion 20 and
the inner wail surface 2c1 being kept in contact with each
other.
Modified Examples
Thus, while the embodiments of the invention have been described in
detail heretofore, the invention is not limited to those
embodiments, and hence, the invention can be modified variously
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which
are described under the claims thereof. Modified examples of the
invention will be described below under (H01) to (H011).
(H01) In the embodiments, while the photocopier is illustrated as
the image forming apparatus, the invention is not limited thereto,
and hence, the invention can be applied to a FAX, a printer or
multifunction equipment which includes the functions thereof or a
plurality of functions. In addition, the invention is not limited
to a monochrome image processing system but may be applied to a
color image forming apparatus. (H02) In the embodiments, while the
waste developer transporting apparatus for transporting a waste
developer is described as the developer transporting apparatus, the
invention is not limited thereto but can be applied to an arbitrary
developer transporting apparatus which has a drop path through
which a developer drops to be transported. Namely, the invention
can be applied to a refill developer transporting apparatus for
refilling the developing device G with a fresh developer or a
developer transporting apparatus for transporting the recovered
developer for reuse in the developing device G as when the
developer recovered by the cleaner or the like is reused by the
developing device G. (H03) In the embodiments, while the coil
spring-like developer transporting member is illustrated as the
developer transporting member, the invention is not limited
thereto, and hence, the invention can be applied to a developer
transporting member made up of a rotational shaft and transfer
blades which are fixed to the rotational shaft or a so-called
developer transporting apparatus having an auger. As this occurs,
the contact portion 21b can be configured so as to be in continuous
contact with either the rotational shaft or the transport blades.
In addition to this, the invention can be applied to a developer
transporting apparatus having a crank-like developer transporting
member or a paddle-like developer transporting member. (H04) In the
embodiments, in order to avoid the occurrence of an event in which
a developer is held between the aggregation preventing member and
the inner wall surface 2c1 to be rubbed and kneaded into
aggregates, while a gap is desirably provided between the
aggregation preventing member and the inner wall surface 2c1, it is
possible to omit such a gap. (H05) In the embodiments, while the
developer scrub-off portion is desirably provided below the
developer drop port 26a in the perpendicular direction, the
developer scrub-off portion can be disposed in a position which
deviates from the relevant position. (H06) In Embodiment 4, while
the developer scrub-off portion 52 is provided only on the outside
of the upper portion of the downstream side in the rotational
direction of the coil auger 4 where the sticking of developer is
easy to occur, as with Embodiments 1 to 3, a configuration can be
adopted in which the developer sticking to both the inner wall
surfaces 2c1 can be scrubbed off. Namely, the aggregation
preventing member 51 of Embodiment 4 can be formed into a box-like
configuration. (H07) In Embodiments 1, 2, while the plate spring
portion 19 is configured so as to generate vibrations, the
invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in
place of the plate spring portion, a configuration can be adopted
in which the developer scrub-off portion 20 is supported on the
fixed portion 17 in such a manner as to rotate about a hinge shaft,
so that the developer scrub-off portion 20 moves vertically about
the hinge shaft as the contact portion 21b moves vertically. (H08)
In the embodiments, since discharged developer contains therein
carriers, the fluidity thereof is better than that of waste
developer, and because of this, in the first drop path 11a for
discharged developer and the drop paths 26d, 26f for waste
developer, no aggregation preventing member is provided in the
first drop path 11a and only the aggregation preventing member
which corresponds to the second drop path 26d is provided. However,
the invention is not limited to this configuration, and hence,
aggregation preventing members can be provided so as to correspond
to the other drop paths 11a, 26f. (H09) In Embodiments 4, 5, a
fastening member such as a string or rope can be used so as to
prevent the aggregation preventing members 51, 61 from being
transported to the downstream side along the developer transport
direction. (H010) In the embodiments, while the generation of noise
and abnormal noise and deterioration of the aggregation preventing
member which result from the contact between the contact portion 21
of the aggregation preventing member and the coil auger 4
constitute problems, in order to decrease the degrees thereof, a
coating of a soft material having high noise insulation properties
can be formed on the surface of either the contact portion or the
coil auger or the surfaces of both, or such a coating can be formed
from a material having wear-resistant properties. (H011) In the
embodiments, while the perpendicular heights of the connecting
portions of the developer transporting path 2d with the first drop
path 11a, the second drop path 26d and the third drop path 26f are
lowered sequentially in that order so that the developer
transporting path 2d is properly inclined to produce a smooth flow
of developer along the developer transport direction, the invention
is not limited to the configuration but can be applied to a
developer transporting path 2d having an arbitrary path
configuration.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present
invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many
modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners
skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and its
practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art
to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention
defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *